State suspends liquor license of store in GR’s Heartside area

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The owner of a liquor/convenience store in Grand Rapids’ Heartside Neighborhood says the business’s license to sell booze has been suspended 45 days by the State of Michigan.

Lucky’s Downtown Market, located at 24 S. Division Ave., began the suspension Jan. 4 after multiple Michigan Liquor Control Commission violations in the summer of 2018.

Police say there has been an increase in complaints from Heartside-area businesses about intoxicated Lucky’s patrons who are disorderly, urinate in public and cause a loss of business.

The business was also caught selling alcohol and tobacco to a minor three times by police sting operations, in addition to selling alcohol to visibly intoxicated customers. Grand Rapids police say they observed at least five instances during a two-month operation where visibly intoxicated people were served.

Police have advised the business to follow the laws and to remarket items like alcohol to no target homeless and vulnerable people in the area.

Lucky’s will still sell snacks, drinks and other items typically found in a corner store during the suspension.